A sphinx is a mythological figure, which looks like a lion with a humanhead. It dates back to the Old Kingdom of Egypt, and its name comes from the Ancient Greek name for a "stranger". The Sphinx is also common in South and South-East Asia, and was popular in Europe from the times of the Renaissance. The Sphinx was famous for posing riddles. It was used to guard the pyramids of Giza. Giza has a head of a man, and a body of a lion.